TNSM rejects fresh talks offer

PESHAWAR - Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi (TNSM) on Tuesday rejected the NWFP governments offer for talks and said that launching of military operation after peace accord is a violation of the agreement. Expressing concern over the ongoing military operation in Dir and Buner, the TNSM spokesman Amir Izat Khan said in a press conference at Butkhaila that since February 16 after the ceasefire between the government and Taliban, around 80 per cent normalcy had retuned to Malakand Division. He also said that now after launching of another offensive in Dir and Buner, the situation has again deteriorated considerably and thousand of the local residents have shifted to other areas in uncertain conditions. He further said that if the government had appointed Qazis in the area, the militants would have been exposed and treated as per Nizam-e-Adal Regulation in case of being guilty. He also said that some elements are engaged in disturbing the peace of the area. Meanwhile, talking to a private TV channel, he rejected the offer for talks saying that on one hand government was inviting TNSM chief Maulana Sufi Mohammad for talks while on the other, military operation was being carried out in Dir. Under such situation talks would not held with government, he said. Earlier, the NWFP government had again invited the TNSM chief Maulana Sufi Mohammad for peace talks and made it clear strict action would be taken if TNSM violates and fails to implement peace agreement. The government would not tolerate anyone who takes up arms after the promulgation of Nizam-e-Adl Regulation in Malakand division, said Provincial Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain while addressing a news conference. A conspiracy is being hatched to sabotage Swat peace deal, he said, adding that after enforcement of Nizam-e-Adl there is no need of arms, he said. He termed the situation in Buner 'disappointing after the promulgation of Nizam-e-Adl Regulation. Mian Iftikhar said some elements are trying to sabotage the regulation but the government would implement it to restore peace in the restive area. To a question, he said the government is not resorting to delaying tactics for the establishment of Dar-ul-Qaza. All the arrangements have been finalised for establishment of Dar-ul-Qaza, he said. The government, also wanted to expedite the process but you know there are always some problems to complete the process, he said. We went on to meet Chief TSNM Maulana Sufi Mohammad but he refused to meet. We also went to Timargarah but were unable to see him. We wanted to discuss appointment of Qazis under Nizam-e-Adl Regulation with him, he said. Through this press conference we inform Sufi Mohammad the government is ready to implement the regulation, he said. Mian Iftikhar said the government would ensure its writ and miscreants and terrorists would be dealt with full force. Answering a question, he said, the troops were on their way when they were attacked and Sufi Mohammad was told that it was an attack which is why he suspended talks. The security forces were responding to attacks over the convoys of the Frontier Corps and Frontier Constabulary in Dir, he said. He said the government will not initiate any operation, however, the security forces would respond to attacks by the terrorists, he said. He said Sufi Mohammed has been prepared to hold a meeting at a notice of one hour and he has not cancelled the agreement but said that the talks would resume after closure of the operation in Dir. He said some miscreants want to end the peace process. He said non-local people have reached Dir and Buner and the condition has not improved after the Nizam-e-Adl. Security forces would be deployed in Shangla, Swat and Buner in case of need, he said. Spokesman of TNSM Amir Izzat Khan while talking to a private TV channel added that on one hand government was inviting TNSM Chief Maulana Sufi Mohammad for talks while on the other, military operation was underway in Dir. Under such situation talks would not held with government, he added. Answering a question, he said, it is responsibility of provincial government to ensure implementation of Nizam-e-Adl Regulation. The government, he warned, would be responsible for consequences of military operation in Dir and failure of Swat peace deal. People living in Malakand division are peaceful, he said. Replying to another question, he said, he has tried to contact Maulana Sufi Mohammad but due to disruption of telephone network he could not contact him. When asked about future strategy, he said, We have informed provincial government about our stance on talks. He demanded end to security forces operation against militants in district Dir. Only Chief TSNM Sufi Mohammed can maintain peace in Malakand division, he said. When asked about why Taliban are not disarming them in Swat, he said, We would lay down arms after implementation of Nizam-e-Adl and appointment of Qazis.

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